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‘ELVIS NOT DEAD’ Graceland groundsman is ‘King aged 82’ – 40 years after his death

AT FIRST or even second glance he may not be a dead ringer for Elvis, but growing numbers of people are posting videos of him online, amid claims the long-held myth The King never actually died 40 years ago today is true after all.

As “celebrities who are not really dead” conspiracy theories goes it is one of the longest running and certainly the most famous.

But, ever since Elvis Presley’s death was announced on August 16, 1977, when he was 42, there have been countless theories that he faked his own demise and instead disappeared.

The official cause was not given, but it is believed to have been an overdose of prescription drugs that caused heart failure.

And over the years there have been scores of alleged sightings and pictures that have surfaced – many of which looked like pictures of some of the many Elvis impersonators across the globe.

More recently, attention has turned to a pony-tailed, grey-haired groundsman working at Graceland, Elvis’ former residence in Memphis, Tennessee.

Video clips of the man recorded in June last year at the 13.8-acre estate, which now houses a museum, have been posted on YouTube, with responses divided as to whether it could really be The King aged 81.

In a description of one such video, where the suspected Elvis holds two fingers towards the camera, YouTube channel The Shadow said: “Pay close attention as he walks up to the camera.

“Look this was a fluke…I don’t think he expected us to be watching. Or maybe he just took a chance because he doesn’t usually come so close to the camera.

“He raises his two fingers to the top of his left head as a proof of life signal.“He told us he is alive with the simple V sign.“‘I’m Alive’. He is giving us a clue that he knows we are all there watching him and to his most loyal fans that he is indeed with us.”The site speculated “Elvis” had even visited Graceland as part of a rally for Harley-Davidson motorbikes.It added: “There is a Harley Rally which goes on each year in Memphis. One of the things they do is drive over to Graceland for a photo shoot and it is our belief that Elvis is there helping out. He loves Harleys.”

Despite the channel being given an identity for the man, it has refused to accept this and disputed it is who others have said he is.

The Shadow added: “Our personal view is it’s him. When you look at his walk and gait, long arms it’s him 100 per cent.

“As he approaches he looks at the camera. As he walks away he glances at the camera.”

Elvis broke a finger on his right hand aged 25, which left a noticeable change.

Seeing is not quite believing: But some YouTubers think they have found Elvis alive and well.

The channel added: “We tried to look at his right hand to see the pinkie finger but he kept three fingers folded back as if to hide the finger.But YouTube viewer Clarissa Mutlag claimed to spot a match on the man.She posted: “Look the pinky Finger of his right hand… Welcome back!”

The channel added: “We confirmed with a few sources that used to work at Graceland that it’s him. As soon as they saw the images we sent, they wrote back and said ‘yes’, IT IS him as they remember him with the exact same ponytail.

“One said he had gained weight. But to be fair Elvis loves food and always had a problem with gaining weight so this should not be a surprise.

“Plus, hey he’s 81 years old… So we can cut him some slack!

“It’s OK Elvis, you’re entitled. We still love you, ‘just the way you are’.

A number of websites and social media pages are now pushing the theory that it is him.

But many have pointed out he is too short.

YouTube user sluana1 posted: “I suspect the two fingers is signifying two months from now, and the Elvis week T-shirt is another clue.

Seeing double? Or maybe not depending on your view of the likelihood this is an 81-year-old Elvis.

“Crazy, it seems to be him but why so open and in front of a camera.”

Luke “Luck E” Tieppo pleaded with the man to out himself.

He said: “Sir, if you are reading this comment page by any chance, and it is indeed your intention to be seen on this webcam.

“If you are planning something for August like you seem to suggest in this video, please do go through with it, whatever it is!

“Whoever you are, if you have a story to tell then please tell it! If you are by some chance Elvis or a close relative of Elvis, we fans will love you and support you and, if need be, defend you to the world. Obviously you want to be seen and noticed.”

John Orlando said: “He walks with a limp. He look a lot like him. I am never sure for sure. But my guess is yes.”

Gloria Hestersaid: “For the first time. I believe this could be Elvis.”

But, Kathleen Myers posted: “No way! Elvis was a very ill man before he passed.

“God rest his soul! He knew he was very ill in March of’77 and rewrote his will.”

Rustywells added today: “This Is Not Elvis!!!”

Zoenew9949 said: “This guy is a little short to be Elvis.”

And WHS 119 fumed: “look at the way this guy moves. Elvis had more grace than this.”

However, conspiracy theorists will be upset, after the mystery pony-tailed, grey-haired Elvis was tracked down and denied being the aging King.

In a YouTube video entitled “News Proof: Elvis Presley Graceland groundsman filmed Is Not Elvis Presley,” the man, who is a groundsman at Elvis’ former mansion Graceland in in Memphis, Tennessee, denies being Presley.

In the clip, the man appears to have been grabbed by a young blonde woman who has followed the story.

She says in the video: “OK, hi everybody. This is the famous groundskeeper that everyone thinks is Elvis. I found him here in Memphis.”

The man interjects: “I’m not really 81, OK.”

She says: “I literally found him. His name is Bill.”

He says: “I’m like a Pokemon go guy.”

He then mocks the conspiracy theory by placing two fingers at the side of his head, something he had done while being filmed at Graceland, and which believers had said was a sign he was giving that he was really Elvis.